The Somerset November 25 2020

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The fate of the Cormorant Bay Restaurant building near Wivenhoe Dam remains in the air, following a meeting of the Somerset Council Economic and Tourism Development subcommittee last week. Fernvale local Paul Heymans was among those in attendance, and he relayed the news SEQWater shared about the restaurant during a presentation at the meeting. “The building needs $500,000 worth of renovation just to make it safe. SEQWater has advertised the lease twice with no takers, but the terms were not very good,” he said. “SEQWater is reluctant to spend any money on it until they have a new lessee, so anyone taking up the lease would have to wait six months or so until work has been completed before they can open their business there.” But while the wait and debate continues, the building continues to fall into disrepair, with vandals and local wildlife both contributing to the damage. Though the building is currently owned by SEQWater, the group have made it clear the core of their business interest is on water supply, not tourism. “Cormorant Bay was an important tourism asset for our region and a great place for locals to dine out, hold celebrations and functions, take visiting relatives, etc,” Mr Heymans said. “Several members of the sub-committee put it to the SEQWater representative that we don’t actually need another café in Somerset, what we need is a great restaurant with possibly the best freshwater views in South- East Queensland.” Discussions about the future of the restaurant are expected to continue in future meetings. NATHAN GREAVES After missing this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Somerset Art Beat Festival is set for a triumphant return in 2021. Showcasing the artistic talents of residents throughout the region, the event is a showcase of all things creative, from music and performing arts to sculpture and painting. A final date hasn’t been set for the 2021 event, but organisers are aiming for some time in May, leaving plenty of time for those interested in taking part to prepare. As preparations begin, organisers are calling for a Festival Assistant to join the team. This would be a paid, part-time contract from mid-January to late-May 2021, with the role offering an opportunity to gain paid work experience in event and project management, and to be mentored by leading arts and cultural industry professionals. No prior paid event experience is necessary, and school leavers or young people previously involved in local school or community projects, events and volunteering are especially encouraged to apply. Expressions of interest are also now open for Performers, Artists and Stallholders who want to take part in the festival. Further information can be found on the festival Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/artbeatfest Wednesday November 11 marked 102 years since Armistice Day 1918. The Esk RSL Sub Branch held a small service at 11 o'clock – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Due to the COVID 19 restrictions, social distance was required by those attending the service. Stephan Bird, the Esk RSL Secretary, welcomed those at the abbreviated service and ran the proceedings. Father Ian Bailey gave the prayer during the service and a benediction at the close. Charlie Elwell, President of the Esk RSL gave the a short talk about the Remembrance Day and how it now applies to all service personnel in all Australian engagements and not just to World War I. As usual Matthew Lukritz provided the bugle calls for the Last Post, Reveille as well the national Anthem. During the service only one wreath was laid, representing all the branches of the defence forces. However sometime after it was noted that additional wreaths had been laid privately. At the close of the short service it was announced that this was Charlie Elwell's last public involvement with the memorial services as he would be standing down as President at the next AGM of the Esk RSL Sub Branch. Those attending applauded Charlie for his service to the Esk community. Advertise in The Somerset NOW - Call 0411 896 004 More than 100,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the West Moreton region so far in 2020. West Moreton Health Chief Operating Officer Matthew Tallis said the milestone passed last week was only accomplished due to the strong partnership between the region’s healthcare providers. “The strong test numbers are also a good demonstration of the public’s desire to keep West Moreton free of COVID,” Mr Tallis said. More than one in four West Moreton residents have been tested since 1 January 2020 – some of them several times. The last person to test positive in West Moreton was on 15 September. Mr Tallis said the demand for testing had increased last week due to people returning from South Australia where there has been an outbreak. “The outbreak in some parts of South Australia is a reminder that we must remain vigilant and continue to practise good hygiene and social distancing,” Mr Tallis said. Anyone experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, should stay home and be tested. The symptoms include a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhoea. The 100,000 tests were conducted at West Moreton Health clinics, the region’s three Darling Downs West Moreton PHN clinics (at Health Matters Karalee, Flinders Peak Medical Centre and Kambu Booval), temporary clinics run by Mater Private Hospital Springfield and the Queensland Ambulance Service, and the region’s general practitioners and private pathology laboratories. “Of course, the full list of people we have to thank is much broader than that,” Mr Tallis said. “So much work and generosity by so many community leaders have contributed to our COVID response, including Orion Springfield Central shopping centre and the Salvation Army at Bundamba who allowed us to set up surveillance testing clinics for the general public on their premises.” For a full list of COVID clinics in West Moreton, visit www.westmoreton.health. qld.gov.au/coronavirus. THE SOMERSET - Wednesday November 25, 2020 - Page 2
NATHAN GREAVES With Year 12 students throughout the region having graduated last week, the team from the Hazeldean Rural Fire Brigade have offered their thanks and congratulations to the students who have taken an interest in firefighting. Now more than ever, there is a heightened need for new fire fighters in rural regions. This time last year, volunteer brigades were hard pressed combatting the Jimna, Louisavale, and Monsildale fires, with high temperatures, low huminidty, and strong winds making the task a literal hell for firefighters. Residents, including firefighters, lost homes and livestock in the fires, with waterbombing aircraft and crews from outside the region moving in to assist with the weeks-long battles. Though this year has been relatively calm on the firefront so far, the effects of climate change and global warming mean the conditions for more severe fire seasons are likely to increase, and the need for more firefighters will increase with it. Those eager to help defend their areas from future fires are encouraged to contact their local brigade. As part of their secondary schooling, students have the opportunity to take on additional certifications, with some choosing to train in a Certificate II of Public Safety Operations in Fire Fighting. “We wish you well in the next chapter in your life and we will certainly welcome you permanently into our Fire Brigade if you decide to pursue with the skills you have learnt,” the Hazeldean RFB said in a statement. “You have been a valuable part of a great volunteer organisation. You have worked alongside those in a profession that is dedicated, respected, valued and necessary. Thank you for your voluntary service and for being a part of our brigade. Good luck and best wishes for your future.” SOMERSET 37 Cairnscroft Street, Toogoolawah Phone: 07 5423 0104 Email: nash4313@bigpond.com Open: Monday & Tuesday Saturday by appointment ONLY Accounting & Taxation Services for Business & Individuals Dozens of care packages delivered to Ipswich Hospital will comfort family and friends keeping a bedside vigil of a loved one who is at the end of their life. The Palliative Care Boxes are an initiative of Lisa’s Lunches, a volunteer program named in memory of Lisa Heuston, who passed away at Ipswich Hospital in 2017 after living with cancer. Palliative Care Nurse Unit Manager Melanie McBain said the boxes would be given to loved ones who were supporting people during end-of-life care at Ipswich Hospital as a comforting reminder that they are not alone at a significant time in their lives. “When people arrive by the bedside of a loved one, sometimes they are not prepared to stay for long but end up staying 24 or 48 hours, so items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and hand cream are gratefully received,’’ Ms McBain said. “It is very touching for a patient’s supporter to think there are people in the community who are caring for them at that time – not just their families and health workers but people in the broader community too.’’ Lisa’s Lunches organiser Jacqui Martin said the volunteer program, sustained by donations from Ipswich residents and the Lisa’s Lunches Facebook community, continued Lisa’s legacy to support others during tough times. Ms Martin, a close former workmate of Lisa, said her friend would make lunches for teachers to distribute to students who went to school without food. When Lisa was diagnosed with cancer, her friends decided to support her and her family in kind, by organising packed lunches for Lisa’s children so the family had one fewer burden to carry. Ms Martin said the Lisa’s Lunches movement continued to grow after Lisa’s death, and they have since donated more than 10,000 lunches to support West Moreton families affected by cancer. The plan to expand on the Lisa’s Lunches venture and support people in the Palliative Care Unit was already in motion when COVID restrictions prompted a fast-tracked response, Ms McBain said. When hospital visits were restricted during the escalated COVID response, people visiting the Palliative Care Unit were confined to the room of their loved one and were unable to share communal tea rooms. Ms Martin said she put out a call on Facebook for assistance in supplying the Palliative Care Unit with five kettles. “Twelve minutes – that’s how long it took for supporters to answer the request via the Lisa’s Lunches Facebook page,” Ms Martin said. “We are so grateful to this amazing community. No request is ever a problem.” Now the army of supporters have provided donations including toiletries, socks, crosswords and adult colouring books, tea bags, long-life milk, cereal and snacks for each Palliative Care Box. For more information, visit the Lisa’s Lunches Facebook group. NATHAN GREAVES Users of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail are advised of upcoming development works being undertaken by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and Queensland Urban Utilities, in the vicinity of the trail. DTMR contractors will be out between Millar Road, Fernvale and Muirlea carrying out a myriad of works, including removing existing step-overs, and widening the trail openings at the road crossings. Other minor surface improvements will also be conducted at various locations along this route. The work began on November 16, and is expected to take anywhere from four to six weeks. Queensland Urban Utilities contractors are also carrying out works near the trail section at Vernor as part of the Lowood-Fernvale Sewer Upgrade project, and development of its new sewerage treatment plant. These works are intended to be complete by the end of November. While the trail will remain open during these works, users are advised to exercise caution when using these sections of the trail, adhere to any warning signage in place, and follow any directions given by the workers. Advertise in The Somerset NOW - Call 0411 896 004 THE SOMERSET - Wednesday November 25, 2020 - Page 3
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The Somerset November 25 2020

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